Top 12 Tips for Introverts at Work

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1. Be Authentic: You can't work and lead like an extrovert.  Know your strengths, share your introversion, and proudly lead your way - it's the only way!  

2. Use Your Superpowers: All introverts are different but many rely on preparation, listening, thoughtfulness, and creativity.  Learn your strengths, practice them, and lean on them.  Strength survey

3. Protect Your Time: Own your time by actively managing your calendar and planner.  It will help you manage priorities and stay in control which is so soothing to most introverts.  

4. Re-energize During the Day: Monitor your energy level.  Don't wait until the end of the day to re-energize.  Take a walk, grab a lunch alone, provide breaks between stressful meetings.  

5. Patience is a Virtue: Your best decisions happen when you slow down.  Multi-tasking favors quantity over quality.  Take your time and your best work and more relaxed attitude will shine through.  

6. Meetings Your Way: You don't have to be the loudest in the room.  Listen and observe.  Prepare your points and questions.  Meet one-on-one in advance to build rapport and diffuse issues.  

7. Network Piecemeal: It's not all about big cocktail parties with strangers.  Schedule one-on-one casual meetings or coffees.  Prepare your questions and points to share.  One at a time... 

8. Recognition Both Ways: Introverts thrive on recognition.  It calms your mind and validates your expertise.  Seek recognition and be sure to offer constructive feedback to others.  

9. Manage Upward: A positive, interactive relation with your manager is critical.  Seek common ground and agreed levels of interaction.  Be vulnerable.  Share your introversion.  

10. Complementary Team Forming: Surround yourself with diversity of experience, gender, ethnicity, background and personality (introverts & extroverts) to provide a strong, balanced team.  

11. Mentor Others: What a great way to give back.  You will also learn a lot when you share wisdom and teach others.  It's a special gift to mentor less developed introverts through the chaos.  

12. Grow & Stretch: Don't stand still.  Stretch yourself toward change and new challenges, but do so compassionately.  The joy is in the journey, not necessarily in the final destination.